Verbal Abuse of Resident by LPN Over Coffee Request
Penalty
Summary
A resident with diagnoses including nonrheumatic aortic valve stenosis, muscle weakness, and a history of falls, who was cognitively intact and able to make their needs known, requested a cup of coffee from an LPN. The LPN refused to provide the coffee, stating they would not make a cup just for the resident. The resident then went to another wing to seek assistance from other staff, expressing that it was important for them to make choices regarding food and drink. Upon learning that the resident had received coffee from another nurse, the LPN pursued the resident to the other wing, loudly and angrily confronting the resident in front of staff and other residents. Multiple witnesses reported that the LPN pointed their finger in the resident's face, yelled that the resident could not have coffee, and insisted that the resident was to listen to the LPN's instructions. The resident appeared surprised and expressed confusion about what they had done wrong. Staff present described the LPN's behavior as verbally abusive, noting the volume, tone, and physical proximity during the confrontation. Facility staff, including CNAs and a GPN, corroborated the account of the LPN's loud and demeaning behavior, with statements indicating that the LPN's actions were considered verbal abuse. The incident was reported to the Director of Nursing, who initiated an investigation. The facility's policy on abuse and neglect emphasized residents' rights to be free from abuse, including verbal abuse, but did not provide a specific definition of verbal abuse. The events described constituted a failure to protect the resident from verbal abuse by staff.